Well, I’ve been into football for ages, and picking the right category of football was a real journey for me. I started off just playing in the local park with my mates on weekends. It was all about having fun, kicking the ball around, and not really caring about the rules too much.
Then, I got the itch to join a proper team. I signed up for a recreational league. It was like stepping into a whole new world. The first practice was intense! We did warm – ups, passing drills, and scrimmages. I was so nervous at first, but I quickly got into the rhythm. The level here was a bit higher than park football. There were set positions, and everyone took the games seriously, but it was still mainly for the love of the game.
After a couple of seasons in the recreational league, I thought I could handle more. So, I tried out for a semi – professional team. The tryouts were brutal! They tested my speed, my ball control, and my ability to make quick decisions on the field. I remember running until I thought my legs would give out, and doing countless dribbling drills. When I finally made the team, I was over the moon.
Playing in the semi – professional league was a whole different ballgame. The players were more skilled, and the coaches were way more strict. We had to follow a strict training schedule, with daily practices and regular fitness tests. The games were also more competitive. There were scouts in the stands sometimes, and the pressure was on to perform well.
But here’s the thing, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, the stress of performing at that level got to me. I started to wonder if it was really worth it. I missed the carefree days of park football. So, after a while, I decided to step back a bit